InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Rhythum ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 3 )

Kagome growled down at the paper in her hands. The edges of the flimsy slip of paper wrinkled under the applied pressure of her fingers. Hissing at the text upon the page she cursed her mother.

 

[Student: Kagome Higurashi]

Rank: Senior

 

Period Status Class Room

1 credit class Math E112

2 credit class English W202

3 credit class History E109

Lunch

4 elective Drama M111

5 credit class Technology W109

6 physical ed. Dance G210

7 free period ------- -------

 

 

Snorting she folded the slip of paper and slid it into the pocket of her jeans.

“Okay this schedule sucks. First I start with a hell class and end with a nightmare one.”

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

After cursing her mother just an hour earlier, Kagome was grateful that her mother had the insight to send her to school on the first day with a backpack. That allowed her the opportunity to meet a pleasant girl.

 

Kagome looked up from scribbling equations on her paper when a soft sound caught her attention. Turning her head the bright pleading brown eyes of the girl next to her caught her attention. She was nervously twirling her fingers around the tendrils of her side ponytail.

 

“Hi.”

 

“Hello.”

 

“I'd hate to bother you, but do you think I could borrow a pen and some paper? Professor Takami is notorious for giving homework on the first day and it looks like he's living up to his reputation.”

 

“Um… sure. I don't have any loose paper but I've got a spare spiral.”

 

“Oh thanks really. I'll bring you double tomorrow, I swear. I'm Rin by the way.”

 

“Kagome.”

 

“Nice to meet you.”

 

“You too.”

Kagome turned back to her paper, same as Rin, and continued to write down her notes. At the end of class Kagome glanced over at Rin who was scribbling furiously across her paper. Sighing she jotted down her assignment and gathered her bag to leave the room. Exiting the room she missed the excited expression fall from Rin's face as she held a folded sheet of paper towards an empty desk.

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

Kagome sighed as she settled into a desk in her history class. It was only third period and she was already exhausted. Second period wasn't as unsatisfactory as the first one but it came close. Somebody made it a point to mention that she was new so she spent most of that class answering a torrid of tiresome questions. Setting her head on her desk she prayed that this one was better.

 

“You need to move. That is my seat.”

 

`Of course!'

Kagome thought sarcastically. She turned her head slightly to see an irritated looking girl standing at her shoulder. The girl's appearance was the first thing Kagome noticed; highlighted voluminous hair, slightly heavy make up, dangerously low v-neck, crossed arms tipped with talons, ridiculously short skirt, and finally neck-breaking stilettos. Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“How can you say that this is your seat? It's only the first day.”

 

“I sit in the same spot in every class, now move.”

 

Kagome didn't like the girl's attitude. She was just too bossy for her own good.

“Gee, I'd love to but I've already got comfortable.”

 

“Why you little…”

 

“Miss Moki, take a seat somewhere so I can start class.”

 

“But the new girl took my seat.”

 

“Miss Moki, it is the first day. Nobody has a seat yet. Although, it might do you some good to sit up front this year.”

 

The girl huffed at Kagome before moving to the front of the class. At the end of class Kagome stood only to be knocked back into her seat. She looked up at the same girl and mentally groaned.

 

“Believe me you'll pay for taking my seat.”

She flipped her hair over her shoulder and headed out of the room.

 

“Great.”

Kagome muttered darkly. It was only the first day and she already had and enemy. Wondering what was next she looked at her schedule and groaned once again.

“Great.”

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

“Rin, hey Rin!”

 

Rin looked up as she entered the lunch room. Sango was calling her name and waving spastically. Smiling she made her way through the chattering students towards her friends.

“Hey guys. How is your day so far?”

 

“Not bad. It would be better if that damn lecher could keep his hands to himself.”

 

“Speaking of, where is Miroku?”

 

“He's in line getting lunch for everyone. He drew the first straw of the year.”

 

“You mean you drew straws without me?”

 

“Hell yes we drew straws without you. You were taking too fucking long.”

 

“Really Inuyasha?”

Miroku smirked as he walked up arms laden down with trays.

“From what you said, Sesshomaru told you that if she ever did lunch duty he'd rip your ears off.”

 

“Shut up you ass. He said he'd rip my ears off if she ever found out about what he said. My legs would get broken if she ever got lunch detail.”

 

“So that's why I never managed to pull the short straw. Why that pompous jerk. I thought it was really sweet how he used to carry my tray but that's just too much. I don't need to be coddled like that. I'm fully capable of taking care of myself.”

 

“Awe, come on Rin. I think it's sweet that he wants to make sure you're taken care of when he's not here. I wish I could find a guy like that.”

Sango said dreamily.

 

“I believe that I…”

Miroku tried.

 

“And I appreciate that, I do, but it's not like I'm too dainty to carry a lunch tray. And I think it is rather insulting for him to think that I am.”

 

“Give the asshole a break Rin. It's just in our nature to provide for and protect the ones we're close to.”

 

“Then why doesn't he treat you the same way?”

 

“Because we're brothers.”

 

Rin sat there expectantly waiting for more of an explanation. When she didn't get one she huffed in irritation and turned her head to the side.

“He's `your brother', that's all you have to say to me? --- Hey what in the world is going on?”

 

“What do you mean?”

Sango said looking up from her tray.

 

“Look, over there.”

Rin pointed.

 

Miroku followed Rin's directed gaze to the exit door of the lunch line. Several highly polished girls gathered almost ominously around somebody who appeared to have just exited the line.

“Huh. Looks like Kikyo and her cronies have found their first victim of the year.”

 

“So who is the unlucky bastard this time?”

Inuyasha spat venomously.

 

“Oh no, Kagome.”

 

“Who?”

Sango asked.

 

“Her name is Kagome. She's in my first period math class.”

 

“Her?”

Sango gasped.

“But I thought Kikyo was notorious for targeting guys.”

 

“She is, but that doesn't mean much with a bitch like her.”

Inuyasha growled between his clenched teeth.

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

“Did you honestly think that you would be allowed to disrespect me like that and get away with it?”

 

Kagome looked up from her less that respectable lunch when the familiar voice rang in her ears. The sight of the girl from her history class threatened to mar her cool features. Keeping her face calm Kagome answered in a normal voice.

“I don't see how I was disrespectful but if I was I suppose I could apologize. I'm sorry.”

 

Kagome tried to step around her oh so friendly ::cough cough:: classmate but was stopped by the jolting pain of her lunch tray being shoved against her ribs. A pained hiss sounded through her teeth and she glared at the girl in front of her finally noticing her flanking flunkies.

 

“Did you hear that Kikyo? She supposes she could apologize. Well I suppose I could knock some respect into her.”

 

“Easy Kaguya. She hasn't reached that extreme yet, but I do think she needs a demonstration to remind her who she's dealing with.”

 

“Should I chop her hair off? I might be able to salvage a wig out of the mess.”

 

Kagome glared at the girl who was slowly stroking her short locks with a blood red comb. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she smirked in response to Kagome's glare.

 

“Now, now Yura that's no need to go that far especially on the first day. Besides its Kagura and Kana's turn.”

 

At the mention of their names two girls who couldn't be more different took a step toward Kagome. One stood tall and proud with her onyx hair pulled into a tight ponytail away from her face. Eyes that were nearly scarlet glanced down at the girl next to her before returning them to Kagome. The other girl stood there obviously present and yet mysteriously self- secluded. Snowy white hair framed a petite face shadowing the edges of her pitch black eyes.

 

Distracted by the hypnotically pale girl before her Kagome didn't see her partner step closer. Faintly she registered the movement out of the corner of her eye but it was too late. In a matter of seconds her lunch went from being on her tray to being all over her sweater. Kagome looked down over the front of her ruined sweater and then sighed.

`Damn I like that one too.'

 

Nearly the entire cafeteria fell silent except for the cackling right in front of her. It was a patronizing laugh that grated over Kagome's nerves. Determined to make it stop Kagome dropped her tray to the floor and fisted her hands into the fabric hanging around her thighs. Fluidly she pulled the soiled fabric up over her head and flung it at Kikyo's feet. Food and milk slopped over the tops of her designer shoes. The piercing laugh stopped instantly and Kagome smirked at the accomplishment. Turning on her heel she moved to exit the cafeteria. Passing through the doors and not bothering to look back a loud barking voice sounded in Kagome's ears over the sudden rush of chatter that filled the room. What the booming voice yelled made her smile lightly.

 

“Ha, Karma, bitch! Somebody fought back!”

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

Sango shivered as she stepped onto the freezing stage of the theatre. Several other students were filing in behind her making their way to the semi-circle of chairs at center stage. There in one of the chairs sat a familiar looking girl in a grey tank top hugging her arms over her midsection. Sango smiled and slowly walked to the semi-circle.

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

“Kagome, right?”

 

At the sound of her name Kagome looked up into a smiling face. A girl with a long ponytail stood before her holding out a large black bundle. Skeptically arching an eyebrow Kagome answered.

“Yeah, I'm Kagome.”

 

“Nice to meet you I'm Sango, Rin's friend.”

 

“Rin… side ponytail, really bubbly personality?”

“The one and the same. She told us about you during lunch after we say what happened with Kikyo. Here's your sweater. Rin and I washed it and dried it in the girl's bathroom. She was gonna give it you tomorrow but something told me to bring it with me this period.”

 

“Thanks.”

Kagome took the article and sighed when the hand drier warmed sweater warmed her chilled skin. She noticed that Sango sat down beside her but neither said another word because simultaneously the teacher walked in signaling the start of class.

 

Being that it was the first day, there was a brief introduction and a twenty minute review of the syllabus. The rest of the time was used, as the teacher so eloquently put it, to `mingle among yourselves with your fellow thespians.'

 

“So what exactly is your story? You're definitely new to our school.”

Sango stated quietly.

 

“My story? There's not much to tell. I was home schooled for a while but due to some … um… unexpected issues we moved and mom decided it would be best for Sota and me to go to public school.”

Kagome swallowed the lump that formed in her throat praying that Sango didn't catch the increasing hoarseness in her voice. She had a feeling that Sango understood what she meant simply by the recognizing look on her face. Despite her obvious curiosity Sango didn't pres the issue much to Kagome's appreciation.

 

“Who's Sota?”

 

“He's my little brother. He goes to the middle school.”

 

“That is so weird. My brother is in the middle school too.”

 

Kagome arched an eyebrow at Sango.

“How is that weird?”

 

“Well think about it. They could be sitting in the same class right now talking like we are.”

 

“When you put it that way, it is kinda weird.”

 

Kagome and Sango chatted lightly until the end of the period. The bell rang and they both gathered their things from under their chairs. An enthusiastic parting came from their teacher as they exited out the door and into the hallway.

 

“So what class do you have next Kagome?”

 

“Um… technology in West 109.”

 

“Uh-oh.”

 

“`Uh-oh?' What uh-oh? Is there something wrong with that class?”

 

“Well not so much the class itself but who happens to be in that class.”

 

“Wait, Sango, it's the first day. How do you know who's in that class.”

 

“Because I looked at the idiot's schedule during lunch. He's not a bad guy or anything. He just has tricky hands.”

 

“Ah, I see. Pervert in boy's clothing.”

 

“Precisely.”

 

“Ha ha, thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to keep an eye out.”

 

“No problem. See you tomorrow.”

 

“See ya.”

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

By the end of her technology call Kagome realized that Sango was nowhere near over exaggerating the situation. Kagome knew exactly who Miroku `the hentai' Houshi was the moment she laid eyes on him, even though she hadn't quite learned his name yet. The moment he walked into the room their eyes connected and a perverted grin spread across his face and Kagome knew.

 

He took the open seat next to her offering his name and a gentlemanly smile. Pulling out his own chair with one hand he placed his other hand on the back of her chair to steady himself as he sat. Once in his own chair he trailed said hand down the back of her seat to smooth across her backside before coming to rest over his computer mouse.

 

The shameless flirting continued through out the entire length of the class. His arm “casually” brushed hers periodically as he moved his mouse. Tedious little messages popped up on her screen and he smile broadly at her. Closer to the end of class he attempted on final endeavor. Shifting his foot under the table he managed to disconnect her keyboard from her CPU. Apologizing he climbed under the table to reconnect the wires. Sticking his head out from under the table he announced his success and curled his fingers around her ankle drawing circles along the curve of the bone.

 

Jerking her leg out of his grasp she stomped down on his fingers. Staring down at his pained face she spoke quietly to him.

“Sango oh so graciously warned me about you last class. She said you weren't a bad guy. Now unless you would like me to prove her wrong I suggest you keep your hands off of me.”

 

“My dearest Sango said that about me? Oh, I never knew she cared so much.”

 

At the sight of the astounded sparkle in Miroku's eyes at the mention of Sango's name, Kagome wondered what kind of relationship those two had. Instantly an idea formed in her head.

“Yeah she did say that about you, and if you can manage to keep your hands to yourself and promise to do so for the rest of the year, I'll tell her that you were nothing but a gentleman while we were in class together.”

 

“You would do that? Even after my inappropriate actions you would tell her I acted as a gentleman?”

Miroku climbed out from under the table looking at Kagome with hopeful eyes. He clutched her hands between his own as he reclaimed his seat.

 

“Yeah I can manage that, just so long as you can manage…”

“Yes. Yes. I will fight the temptations that your stunning form places on my senses and keep my cursed hands to myself. Anything for the breathtaking beauty that is Sango.”

 

Kagome listened to Miroku continue on about Sango until the end of class. The bell ran and she gathered her things. She smiled at Miroku and wished him goodbye when he once again voiced his promise and his gratitude. Shaking her head she left the room.

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

Chewing her bottom lip nervously she hesitantly reached for the dance room door. She'd been stand there for a good ten minutes staring at the closed door. Fear had gripped her bringing her to a dead stop in some deserted hallway between classes. The tardy bell roused her from her comatose state and she took off running only to end up in front of a closed door.

`Well at least I can blame being late on getting lost.'

 

Inhaling deeply she grasped the golden handle between her fingers and turned. Pulling the door open she blushed and apologized as several heads turned toward her. Several dancers dressed in leotards and different variations of dance pants stopped in mid-stride to look at her. Twice as many eyes stared at her then there were people in the room, their reflections mimicking the dancers. Kagome felt the blush rise on her cheeks.

 

“You must be Kagome Higurashi.”

A tall slender woman stood at the front of the class smiling. Motioning for the rest of the girls to continue with their warm up she walked toward Kagome hand extended.

“I'm instructor Tachiin. It's good to have you in the class. Your mother stopped by earlier with a change of clothing for you. Right through that door over there is a locker room. You'll find a locker with your name on it. I want you to change and be out with in five minutes. It is important for you to have some sort of a warm-up before we get started.”

 

Kagome hurried into the locker room and quickly found her name plastered across the top of a locker. Discarding her bag and sweater onto the bench at her side she quickly pulled open her locker. The light swinging above her head glinted off the familiar dancer that lay at the bottom of her locker. Pulling the bag out she jerked the zipper open and retrieved the clothes from inside. Shedding her school clothes she folded them neatly before placing them in her locker. Her fingers passed over the slick fabric of her dance clothes before pulling them on like a second skin. Reaching into her bag again she pulled a hair tie from its depths and lifted her long lochs into a ponytail at the crown of her head. Closing her locker she turned to face the mirror on the wall. The sight before her hadn't been seen in a long time but it was nowhere near forgotten. Holding her head high she picked her dance shoes up off the bench and headed back into the mirrored room.

 

After putting her shoes on Kagome quickly fell in line with the other dancers. Some of her movements were a little force due to the extensive amount of time it had been since she had last done them but eventually they became more fluid. She could feel her muscles flexing and contracting with every movement she made. The freedom the movement brought to her made her smile lightly. She had forgotten how much the fluidity of dance made her feel albeit not all of the emotions were good. Following the music and the movement of the rest of the class was simple and somehow she managed to loose track of time. At some point she closed her eyes and just let the beats lead her. The music stopped and instructor Tachiin called out from the front of the class. Kagome's eyes snapped open.

 

“That was very good for your first day. Go change and I shall see you tomorrow. Higurashi could I talk to you for a moment?”

 

Kagome cautiously approached the instructor.

“Yes ma'am”

 

“Higurashi, I must tell you that I am not very tolerant when it comes to students being tardy to my class. I will be lenient today considering it is the first day but I warn you if you are late again I will give you detention. Am I understood?”

 

“Yes ma'am.”

 

“Good. Now speaking more on a personal note. I noticed that you have a natural talent for dance and I am aware that you have a free final period. I would very much enjoy if you took that time to expand you skills. Earlier when your mother was her she informed me of the situation at hand and while extending my apologies I would also like to extend support in saying that you can't let things like that hold you back from what you are truly good at. This room is always free during this time of day if you are willing to use it. And you using it today would make up for you being late. Does that sound okay to you?”

 

Kagome thought about it for a moment. Dancing with a group for basic drills was one thing but she wasn't sure if she was ready to try it on her own yet. Chewing her bottom lip she deliberated in her head before lifting her eyes to meet her instructors. A raw passion was hidden deep in the older woman's eyes that Kagome remembered fondly that seemed to start a spark in Kagome but it only flickered momentarily. Smiling sadly she nodded.

“Please, may I say something? Practicing drills and steps is one thing but I beg you do not ask me to perform. I think you know why I'm asking this.”

 

“I cannot promise you that Kagome, but I will try my best not to ask you until I think you are ready or until final exams which ever comes first. This is a dance class you know and you will have to perform sometime. I have some things to attend to, please just close the door when you are finished using the room. The equipment in her is very expensive to replace.”

 

Kagome watched as Tachiin-san left the room. Slowly she moved toward the locker room before stopping and looking over her should at the sound system in the corner of the room. Turing she moved in the direction of the stereo.

 

~@*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*@~

 

Inuyasha relaxed and gave the arm slung over his head a quick jerk. A satisfied smirk spread across his face when the hollow crack sounded down the empty corridor. This was the absolute best thing about being a senior. Free periods. The leisure time that he took advantage of between classes seemed like a mere snippet nest to a free period. It was comparing packing peanuts to bubble wrap; both were very useful but one was just way more fun than the other.

 

Casually strolling down the deserted hallway he made his way to his afterschool destination to stake his claim. Having final period off had its advantages. He wanted the best place to hold practice and this year he would finally get first dibs on it. There was no chance in hell anybody else would have the fortitude to request the space before school was even out. As he reached to gateway to his victory he stopped dead in his tracks and his face fell.

 

Somebody beat him to the punch. One of the double doors to the dance room stood slightly ajar. Music filtered steadily out of the opening. Inuyasha growled to himself. Whoever was in that room was going to pay dearly. Edging quietly near the door he prepared to scare the piss out of whoever was in there in order to make them leave. Poking his head around the edge of the door movement near the front wall of mirrors caught his attention.

 

The first thing that caught his notice was the black clad leg that trekked its way up the mirror as its mate slowly edged closer to created a perfect split against the reflective surface. He fought back the groan that threatened to spill from between his lips as his eyes traveled the path from ankle to ankle. Inuyasha wasn't sure if it was blood or the music pumping in his ears as his sight grazed against the exposed back of the torso that lay next to the supporting leg. He watched as the flexible goddess brought her leg down from the split and slowly stood instinctively arching away from the icy surface. Cheeks flushed and eyes closed she moved away from the mirror like she was traveling through water following the tempo of the music. Fixated Inuyasha watched as she traveled across the dance floor registering every coil and extension of her muscles. Watching her limbs and body make beautifully shaped arcs he faintly wondered if those lines were possible in other aspects of her life. Shaking away the uncouth but definitely not unwanted thoughts from his mind he moved his focus from her form to her face.

 

Her face seemed faintly familiar, but with her eyes closed she was nearly impossible to pinpoint in his memory. Her features were smoothed and placid reflecting the mood of the music and her movements. As the music shifted so did her expression but never once did she open her eyes. When the music took on more of an urban feel to it Inuyasha felt a sudden rush knowing she would have to open for this style of dancing. Unfortunately she never did. Instead her eyes clenched tight furrowing her brow in concentration.

 

Inuyasha wasn't sure how long he stood there. Watching her slightly sloppy but surprisingly strategic moved that seemed very reminiscent of her classical performance he wanted to go in there and teach her the different angles and arches her body could make. Maybe at the same time she could teach him something new. Those styles combined would make something worth seeing. Inuyasha froze, that really would be something wouldn't it. Inspiration struck. Placing his hand on the door to pull it open he pulled to hard when a voice behind him called out.

 

“Hey Yash what cha doing?”

 

Inuyasha turned to glare at the smirking Miroku, but the startled gasp pulled his murderous intentions away from the lecher. For a brief second he caught a glance at shocked blue eyes before the turned terrified and darted through the door leading to the locker room. Mere moments later with a bag slung over her shoulder she emerged again shoving her way past him out of the room and running past the new arrivals without saying a word.

 

“What the hell did you two do to Kagome?”

Sango stared to her quickly disappearing form.

 

“You know her?”

 

“Yeah, we do. Now what did you do to her?”

Rin snapped.

 

“I didn't do anything.”

 

“Ah, quite the contrary. Our voyeuristic friend here was watching her in the dance room for some time now.”

 

“Inuyasha I'm shocked. I'd expect something like that from Miroku but not from you.”

Rin chided.

 

“It's not like that. I want her…”

Inuyasha tried to explain.

 

“Obviously.”

Sango snorted, glaring at him. Miroku choked on his snorted laughter.

 

“No, not like that. Okay well maybe like that, I mean she is hot, but I meant I want her on the team. She's something completely different and that is what we need. I just didn't have a chance to talk to her before big-fuckin-mouth over here interrupted.”

 

“That sounds about right. I figured you had and alternative motive to watching for so long.”

Rin muttered.

 

“So you think she's the kind asset we've been missing?”

Sango asked seriously.

 

“Yeah, the asset with the assets.”

Miroku snickered.

 

“Shut it letch.”

Inuyasha said smacking him in the back of the head.

“Come on. We'll wait for the others and I'll explain more.”